Designing and Building a Porch

It snuck up on me…the anniversary of Metamorphosis Monday…Met Monday turned 1 year old on January 4th. We’ve had a full year of sharing fabulous “Before and Afters” and I have been inspired and amazed by all the creative and ambitious “Before and Afters” you have shared every Monday here at BNOTP. I am so looking forward to another awesome year!

Occasionally, I will get an email from someone saying how much a particular Met Monday post helped them with a project in their home. That makes my day because isn’t that what blogging is really all about…the sharing of ideas and information that will hopefully prove helpful to someone else.

Since this is the anniversary month of Metamorphosis Monday, I thought it would be fun to share my very first Metamorphosis post…the “Before and After” of the screened-in porch and decks.

The “Before” was pretty awful as you’ll see in the following pics…hard to believe we lived with that awful deck for 15-16 years before finally doing something about it. Yikes! We bought this house when it was eight years old and apparently, the previous homeowners had never properly cared for the existing deck…it was in a sad state. Before I could afford to replace it, I tried cleaning it with an incredibly strong deck cleaner and “painting” it with a solid color stain for decks. It was a major project…cleaning and “painting” on the stain. It looked better, but the solid stain didn’t hold up well to a large dog and the elements. It was time for a BIG change.

As you can see below in a “Before” pic, the original deck on the right was very small. A previous homeowner had enlarged the deck by adding the section on the left. The deck flooring had deteriorated and was popping up in places, creating a real hazard. The stairs stuck out into the center of the yard…not a great design. On this first Met Monday, I thought I would share some of the exterior changes that took place when the screened-in porch and decks were added.

Before pic of deck…Those dark spots behind Max’s head are actually holes in the deck where the deck boards had rotted around the nails. Periodically, a board would pop up into the air…it was bad!

The pic below was taken right after the workers tore off the old deck…I was so happy to see it gone! You can see how over the years the dirt underneath the deck had splashed up onto the house when it rained, discoloring the siding.

I replaced the door (beneath the small window) going into the terrace level with another window, and had french doors added on the wall behind the ladder. I wanted to maximize the light coming into the terrace level. You’ll be able to see this change in the next picture.

In the pic below, the porch, decks and terrace level are in mid construction. During the additions of the porch and decks, I, completely re-did the previous owner’s basement renovation. It had been done badly with a hung ceiling, orange carpeting and cheap, dark paneling. I finished the basement/terrace level back in with sheet rock walls, tray ceilings, recessed lighting and decorative columns where ugly, metal poles had been. The french doors gave the terrace level more daylight, as did the new window.

The deck on the far left was designed to hold the grill, as well as my existing patio furniture, which included a good size table with four chairs and an umbrella and a small bistro table with 2 chairs. The deck on the far right (under the kitchen bay window) was the perfect spot for another seating area with a pergola overhead.

You can just see the edge of the steps coming down on the side of the deck on the right…a much better design than having them sticking out into the center of the yard.

The future screened-in porch…can you believe it once looked like this?

Let’s get to those “After” pictures! Here’s the screened-in porch…this pic was taken from the same angle as the one above. It’s come a long way! Let’s add some sheers and turn on the lamps.

Much better!

To see more of the interior of the screened-in porch, just click on the pic of the porch posted on my sidebar.

The pic below shows the deck that was added with the pergola overhead. You can just make out the outdoor candle-lier I hung from the pergola.

A view of the area with the pergola overhead… The candle-lier came from Smith & Hawken, that store is sadly gone now. (Sorry about the grainy photo.)

An exterior view of the screened-in porch…those are bird feeders hanging on either side. This pic was taken right after the porch was finished, before I added the sheers.

People often e-mail and ask how I keep the porch looking so clean. I think it helps that it’s a full story up. The only really messy time is during pollen season…once that’s over, it just requires a monthly vacuum and dusting..

In this view, you are looking across from the kitchen door to one of the exterior decks…the one that holds the table with the umbrella, the grill and a small bistro table.

Here’s a huge tip if you’re renovating your deck or porch…I had a gas line run to the grill so I don’t have to worry about running out of gas in the midst of grilling. Have you had that happen? It’s also nice not having to lug those heavy propane tanks back to the store for a refill. If you are renovating your deck, I highly recommend this. It does require a gas grill designed for that kind of connection, but the cost of running the gas line to the grill was only around $375.

This little area with the bistro table is about 6 feet from the grill, so it makes a nice place to sit and chat while the steaks are grilling. When I was in the process of designing the porch and decks, I knew I wanted to have LOTS of seating for dining and entertaining. There are enough tables on the porch and the two decks to seat 16 for dinner…not including the seating area with the swing.

Hope you enjoyed this look back at my first Metamorphosis Monday post! Can’t wait to see all your “Before and Afters!” Please don’t forget to leave a comment with a mention of a past Met Monday post that you found helpful…and the blog where you saw it.

Looking forward to seeing all your “Before and Afters.”

If you are participating in Metamorphosis Monday, please be sure toadd yourpermalinkbelow, and not your general blog address.

Don’t forget to copy and paste the Met Monday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Met Monday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Metamorphosis Monday.

Please be sure to link back to the host blog, Between Naps on the Porch, so your fellow bloggers who are participating today, will get lots of visits, as well.

Please do not add your link below until your Met Monday post is actually published to your blog.

Susan I look forward to your Met. Mondays every Monday (or late Sunday afternoon) Thanks for letting me join in the fun. I ADORE your screened in porch and how you have it decorated, it is just darling and beautiful. WOW the view with those breezy sheer white panels….. EVERYTHING.. great job!

I have always been in awe of your porch. I just love it. If I had one I would want it to be just like yours. I think there have been so many blogs that have influenced me. Barb @ Grits and Glamour with all of her gorgeous vignettes always inspires me. Also Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality has me really thinking about adding shelves to my dining wall similar to the ones in her dining room. I love the look and I already have a round mirror to work around like hers.Thanks for the post. Hugs, Marty

When people talk about their porches, I understand the love. We love our porch too. It was suggested to us many times by many people to enclose it and make it into another room in the house…they clearly don't "get it". Your porch is one of the best ever….definitely a favorite. I love everything about it, and have even used some of your ideas in decorating (redecorating) my own. ♥, Susan

I have always liked your porch, Susan. It is so well designed. I have one question. Does the screened porch get wet when it rains? If so, doesn't it ruin the wood floor? I guess I have 2 questions, lol. About the gas line for the grill. If it is installed, the grill has to be permanently in one place, right? Thanks….Christine

Oh Susan this is such a transformation. It must be warm where you live. Here in the Pacific Northwest area (in Canada though I guess it would be our southwest)it is far too rainy to have all that nice stuff on a porch other than for a few months in the summer. Where would I put it all? I would be happy to come by and have a visit. I can bring the wine.

Oh Susan this is such a transformation. It must be warm where you live. Here in the Pacific Northwest area (in Canada though I guess it would be our southwest)it is far too rainy to have all that nice stuff on a porch other than for a few months in the summer. Where would I put it all? I would be happy to come by and have a visit. I can bring the wine.

Oh Susan this is such a transformation. It must be warm where you live. Here in the Pacific Northwest area (in Canada though I guess it would be our southwest)it is far too rainy to have all that nice stuff on a porch other than for a few months in the summer. Where would I put it all? I would be happy to come by and have a visit. I can bring the wine.

Oh Susan this is such a transformation. It must be warm where you live. Here in the Pacific Northwest area (in Canada though I guess it would be our southwest)it is far too rainy to have all that nice stuff on a porch other than for a few months in the summer. Where would I put it all? I would be happy to come by and have a visit. I can bring the wine.

Susan, oh my gosh! Your porch I SO love! I enjoyed seeing the beginning to the end photos as I had not seen those. But I have adored looking at the photos of your porch now! It is stunning and I love everything about it!!

wow, I'd never seen that particular post before. I'm SO jealous of your screened in porch and space. We don't even have a rotting deck yet, just dirt as soon as you step outside. It's one of our "future" projects, hopefully this spring.

After reading your major deck overhaul I feel rather humble about the link I have just added to the Metamorphosis Monday… Great work, amazing really. Oh how I wish I was living in a climate where it would be worth having a deck – and then have it as nice as you!

Hi Susan!As always your home is beautiful! We are such "porch people", too!I read a book once that said the Victorians believed the porch is an extension of the home and it should be treated like any other room of the house! So true!

I am having a giveaway for Ariat boots! Come by and enter!You always have so many wonderful giveaways, I wanted to make sure to invite you Misha

Hi Christine,Good questions! The porch flooring is tongue and groove, pine flooring and it's nailed and glued down. It's a special porch type flooring that is KDAT…Kiln Dried After Treatment. All that mean is it's pressure treated, then kiln dried afterwards to pull the moisture back out. So far, after 2-3 years, it still looks as nice as the day it was installed. It sat for three days covered in several inches of snow before they ever stained and polyurethaned it, and it did great. I like it better than deck flooring because mosquitoes can't come up from underneath and I don't have to have messy screening underneath that will trap leaves and such.Yes, the grill stays in one spot. You can unhook it and move it with a quick release thingy…but to use it, you have to move it back to where the gas line comes up to the deck. I never move my grill anyway, so it works out well.

I love your porch, what a awesome place to entertain on. It's breathtaking.

Congrats on Met Mondays. I have enjoyed going back through all the different Monday's over time and being inspired. Today is my first time contributing a entry, but have a feeling it will not be my last.

Hi Susan,This weekend being snowed in allowed me some time to go back through your blog and show my husband your beautiful porch transformation. I was so surprised when I checked in to your blog to see this as your anniversary posting! I'm so glad that you answered the question about the flooring! I had been planning to ask!

Hi Susan,This weekend being snowed in allowed me some time to go back through your blog and show my husband your beautiful porch transformation. I was so surprised when I checked in to your blog to see this as your anniversary posting! I'm so glad that you answered the question about the flooring! I had been planning to ask!

Susan, when I first found your blog, I had fun "touring" your house by clicking on various photos. And by the time I saw your porch and deck addition, I was hooked! I haven't joined Met Monday in awhile, but I'm always blessed by it. It's always such a fun party. I'm glad to be participating again today. And I look forward to seeing lots of the fun projects. Thank you for being such a gracious hostess!

Hi Susan, I love, love, love your porch and pergola !! WOW !! I know how much you enjoy your gorgeous outdoor spaces. For awhile, I thought that your porch was actually glassed in … it wasn't until recently that I realized it wasn't. Thanks for sharing your beautiful space … and for hosting this wonderful party. I'm glad to have been able to share my breakfast room additions. Take care, Becca (Adventures in Decorating)

I had not seen this post so it is a treat. To answer your question, yes, Sheila, The Quintessential Magpie, suggested I go to Rhonda at Southern Hospitality for a mirror tutorial. I have the materials and will be doing it this week for next week! Thank you to both! Plus, all the other little things I get every week. It's my favorite day!

Thanks for posting your before and after pics. I have been "lurking" around your blog for a few weeks now and have gotten some wonderful ideas I hope to use one day. Your post gives me hope that one day I too can do something more with my yucky deck I can't wait to show it to my husband. I hope & pray that you'll get your Library finished too. I read that post and I can see your vision. Keep at it! It will be beautiful when it's done!

What fun to see how it looked before and in the different stages. I am in the middle of a morph but just the before is available, not the after. So…I will visit my fellow bloggers and become encouraged as I was with your post. There IS light at the end of the tunnel..

Hi Susan, I wish I had a beautiful screened in porch like yours. We sure have to have them around here in order to enjoy the outdoors without being carried off by the mosquitoes. I am so excited to be able to join in this time. I am still learning and was glad I could link up, but I don't know how to get the button and add it to my blog. Still working on it…Kim

Susan I think your porch is a star in blogland, It is the place we all wish we had in our own homes or at wish we could come by and sit a spell and visit with you. What a dream come true and I am just glad you share it in pictures with all of us out here in blogland. Kathysue

Oh Susan, I remember this very first MM post! This is such an INSPIRATION! YOu do EVERYTHING so well, so beautifully! If I thought we would stay in this house for years more, I would redo our deck EXACTLY like yours!!!!!!!!!!! To me, it is perfection. XO, Pinky

Happy 25th anniversary! I wasn't around when you showed the big porch metamorphosis the first time, but boy was that a big and wonderful project. You had some major vision making that new design and it looks wonderful!

That has to be one of the most amazing porches I've ever seen! This is my first Met Monday Post…love your site and appreciate all the amazingly talented people who share their talents with the rest of us!

I had seen this post and still loved seeing it again. Still waiting and hoping for my own dream porch one day. Thanks for the inspiration!!! And I must say I do love the furry decor lounging around at your home.

There are so many ideas I've gotten from your blog.. Inspiring things. Actually the one picture that started me blogging a lot was the little picture in your side bar of the geraniums on that old white chair!!!! I immediately copied that idea!! Another was the way you did your dining room walls. I plan on doing that after my kitchen reno. Your wonderful tablescape photos are what started me doing tables! Your blog is just the biggest inspiration to me. I can't just name one thing! It's hundreds!

Wow…that means I've been following your blog for a year. Where has the time gone? I remember these pictures from before (I had a different blog then–Happenings@Home), the porch transformation was fun to see again. Beautiful & inspiring! I always get excited when Mondays roll around because I can't wait to see the new before and afters. Thanks for hosting this wonderful weekly event!

And we all love visiting your porch and enjoying your hospitality! Have we ever seen your basement? Or is that a metamorphosis to be? How's the library coming along? Thanks for your kind comments and sweet visit — You are just the best of blogging neighbors. Thank you.

HI Susan! Nothing makes me more happy than seeing your gorgeous screened in porch. I love it so much and it's always so beautiful with how you decorate it. Thanks for popping in to see me and taking up for me. That Barbie! She is a jealous thing.Be a sweetie,Shelia

Revisiting your screened porch project was most enjoyable. Do you ever draw your sheers closed? I can just imagine them blowing in the breeze. I've been thinking about adding them someday to my screened porch. It is much too cold out there right now to even think about it though. Thanks for sharing.

Susan, I've read this post several times and each time I find it so amazing. You had incredible vision! I love your porch and enjoy my visits to BNOTP. I can just imagine how wonderful it is to dine and relax out on this marvelous space. Thanks for sharing this again and congratulations on the anniversary. Wow! Just look at the number of links to this meme. Like I said, You have incredible vision!

Susan, You've inspired me to do something with my back porch. We have a deck that runs the whole length of the house and about 3 years ago we covered a portion of it and made a small screened-in porch right off of the kitchen. It's a huge project, but I think I'm up for it now…I think!

Hi Susan, what a beautiful porch! We shared a photo with our builder and he thinks you may have wrapped the columns in PVC. It looks like just wood to me — can you let me know if you used any PVC in your build? Thanks so much!

Contact

Search

SPONSORS

Between Naps On The Porch is on Instagram!

Archives

Welcome to the porch! Thanks so much for stopping in. You’ll find posts on DIY projects, decorating, gardening, home tours, just about anything I think you’ll enjoy reading when you stop in. I am honored you’ve taken a few minutes out of your day to visit! XO Susan